Best Galaktoboureko Recipe Syrupy Custard Pie With Filo

User Reviews

3.9

173 reviews
Good
  • Prep Time

    30 mins

  • Cook Time

    1 hr

  • Servings

    16 pieces

  • Calories

    502 kcal

  • Course

    Dessert

  • Cuisine

    Greek

Best Galaktoboureko Recipe Syrupy Custard Pie With Filo

Galaktoboureko is a traditional Greek custard pie featuring a smooth semolina-based custard layered under crisp, flaky phyllo pastry. This recipe balances a creamy filling with a sweet lemon-cinnamon syrup poured over the baked filo for a moist, fragrant finish. The pastry is brushed with melted butter and baked until golden and crunchy.

Description

The recipe starts with preparing a simple syrup made from sugar, water, fresh lemon juice, lemon peel, and cinnamon, boiled until slightly thickened and cooled to room temperature. The custard filling combines both fine and coarse semolina with milk, sugar, vanilla, eggs, and butter, cooked gently while whisking to avoid lumps, resulting in a thick, creamy texture.

Layering the phyllo sheets involves careful brushing of melted butter on each sheet before placing in the baking dish, creating a rich, golden crust once baked. The custard is poured into the layered pastry and covered with additional filo before baking until crisp. After baking, the cooled syrup is poured over the hot pie to soak into the layers, giving the dish its characteristic moistness and sweet-tart complexity.

Galaktoboureko is typically served chilled or at room temperature, offering contrasting textures of crunchy pastry and smooth custard. This dessert is suitable for special occasions or as a distinctive sweet treat. Proper thawing and handling of the filo dough are essential for best results.

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Ingredients

Servings

For The Syrup:

  • 700 grams (3 ½ cups) sugar
  • 500 ml water
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh
  • 1 lemon peel
  • 1 tick of cinnamon

For The Custard Filling:

  • 1250 ml (5 cups) milk
  • 200 grams (1 cup) sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 5 medium-sized egg
  • 65 grams (2.3 ounce) fine semolina flour for best results, you may want to try one of these Greek labels: Misko, or Melissa
  • 65 grams (2.3 ounce) semolina coarse
  • 50 grams (3 ⅓ tablespoons) butter

For The Pie:

  • 180 grams (6.3 ounce) butter melted
  • 1 package (450 grams) phyllo pastry sheets

Instructions

  1. Thaw filo in the fridge overnight or for at least 6 hours. Then leave it at room temperature within its package for 30 minutes before using.

Make The Syrup:

  1. NOTE: The syrup needs to be at room temperature when added to the Galaktoboureko. So you need to make the syrup first and let it cool before making the pie.
  2. Add all of the ingredients for the syrup to a saucepan.
  3. Bring to a boil over high heat.
  4. Cook the syrup for 6-7 minutes until thickened. Do not stir the syrup let the sugar dissolve on its own.
  5. Set aside to cool.

Make The Custard Filling:

  1. Add both types of semolina to a bowl and set aside.
  2. Add the milk, sugar, and vanilla extract to a cooking pot and heat over medium-high heat.
  3. In a mixing bowl beat the eggs with a whisk. Once the milk mixture gets steamy hot gradually ladle half of it into the eggs while whisking the eggs constantly.
  4. Transfer the mixture back to the pot. Drop the heat to medium. Give it a minute to reach a steamy hot temperature again.
  5. Gradually mix in the semolina. Continue stirring with the whisk until cream starts to bubble.
  6. Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes.
  7. Stir in the butter.

For The Pie:

  1. Preheat oven to 170°C/ 340°F.
  2. Lay open the stack of phyllo on your working surface. And cover it with a tea towel so it won't air-dry.
  3. Brush a 12-inch (30 cm) round baking pan with some melted butter.
  4. Add 4 phyllo sheets (one at a time) in the pan creating a cross shape (half of the sheets will be hanging out of the pan) grease the surface of every 2 filo with melted butter.
  5. Add 2 more phyllo sheets folded to fit in the pan (fold a bit on the sides to fit) brushing between each filo with butter.
  6. Add the cream and spread it evenly with a spoon.
  7. Add 2 filo sheets folded on top of the cream (again brush each filo with butter).
  8. Overlap the filo that hangs out of the pan (it's okay if it's uneven and ruffled). Don't forget to brush with butter!
  9. Add the remaining filo sheets ruffled on top to create a crunchy topping.
  10. Gently score the top with a knife and divide the Galaktoboureko into pieces.
  11. Bake for about 50 minutes until deep golden, honey-brown on top and crunchy.
  12. Slowly ladle the cold syrup over the Galaktoboureko right as you get it out of the oven.
  13. Allow to cool inside the oven with the oven door open.
  14. When it gets to room temperature you can cut and serve or refrigerate for 4-6 hours and enjoy it cold!

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1serving Calories 502kcal (25%) Carbohydrates 81g (27%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g (6%) Monounsaturated Fat 5g (25%) Trans Fat 0.5g (25%) Cholesterol 92mg (31%) Sodium 281mg (12%) Potassium 182mg (4%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 60g (120%) Vitamin A 564IU (11%) Vitamin C 0.4mg (0%) Calcium 117mg (12%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16pieces

Amount Per Serving

Calories 502 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 502kcal 25%
Carbohydrates 81g 27%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Trans Fat 0.5g 25%
Cholesterol 92mg 31%
Sodium 281mg 12%
Potassium 182mg 4%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 60g 120%
Vitamin A 564IU 11%
Vitamin C 0.4mg 0%
Calcium 117mg 12%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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